Yamaha brought the world’s first hydrogen combustion outboard motor to SEMA 2024! Yamaha is developing the hydrogen V8 engine, Roush has designed the fuel delivery system, and Regulator has adapted their 26’ hull to accommodate the unique powertrain. Three large hydrogen tanks store gaseous hydrogen at 700 bar (10,000 PSI), providing the fuel pressure for a 100 bar direct-injection system into the 5.6L V8 engine.
source.image: Engineering Explained
The heart of this revolutionary motor lies in its hydrogen combustion system, offering a clean and lightweight fuel source with minimal carbon emissions. Direct injection plays a pivotal role in optimizing power output, ensuring efficiency in the combustion process. The prototype boat features three high-pressure hydrogen tanks, meticulously designed to store hydrogen at 700 bar and deliver it to the engine at 100 bar for injection.
Amidst the engineering marvel of the hydrogen combustion system, the team grapples with practical challenges such as tank expansion and hydrogen permeation. Safety measures, including sensors and ventilation systems, are implemented to detect and mitigate potential hydrogen leaks.
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“I spoke with several of the engineers involved, so in this video we’ll deep dive into the project, covering the following questions”:
- 1. What is hydrogen combustion?
- 2. How does Yamaha’s prototype boat work?
- 3. What kind of range can a hydrogen boat get?
- 4. What are the unique challenges for hydrogen boats?
